Woman gets prison in wild trek

She led cops in 2 states in chase in stolen cruisers

Oct. 1, 2013

Shayna Sykes

Written by

The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania woman accused with her boyfriend of leading police on a wild chase in a stolen Camden police cruiser and then stealing a Philadelphia police car has been sentenced to three to eight years in prison.

Shayna Sykes, 24, of Macungie was sentenced Monday in Common Pleas Court after pleading guilty in July to theft, aggravated assault, conspiracy, reckless endangering and receiving stolen property.

Prosecutors said she and her boyfriend stole an idling police car in Camden and drove into Philadelphia, where Sykes later stole another cruiser. They told police they had been on a three-day heroin binge and sleeping on the street, and were desperate to get warm.

Authorities allege her boyfriend, Blake Bills, 25, also of Macungie, spotted the idling cruiser and jumped in, striking an officer who tried to intervene. Two other people were injured during the chase.

Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Ehrlich told Sykes before imposing the sentence, which also included seven years of probation, that their actions could have resulted in “a monumental tragedy” in the city.

“Drugs and alcohol are not an excuse,” the judge said.

Defense attorney Geoffrey Kilroy sought a 1½- to two-year sentence, saying his client “has been nothing but remorseful. She always said these were decisions she made.”

Assistant District Attorney Guy D’Andrea sought a five- to 10-year sentence, noting previous DUI convictions and the injuries to others.

“She stopped when the car would no longer run,” D’Andrea said. “A short sentence will do nothing more than say she could do anything she wants.”

Prosecutors said Sykes also faces court action in Lehigh County on a probation violation and more charges in New Jersey. Bills was scheduled for a court hearing later this week on his theft and conspiracy charges.

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